Videos on History

The 1930s 2010

Liev Schreiber, PBS Distribution (Firm), WGBH Educational Foundation, Middlemarch Films, Firstlight Pictures, and Steward/Gazit Productions

In 1929, there were few critics of a stock market seeming to rise without limits. Presidents and economists alike confidently predicted that America would soon enter a "New Era" when everyone could be rich. Ultimately the promise of an economic boom disappeared almost overnight. In 1933 President Roosevelt sent legislation to Conngress aimed at providing relief for the 1 out of every 4 American workers who were unemployed. This included a proposal for the Civilian Conservation Corps, which over the next decade put  millions of young men to work, planting trees, building flood barriers, fighting fires, and maintaining roads and trails. The Hoover Dam reflected the engineering genius and design philosophy of the time.  the was called "the greatest engineering work of its character ever attempted by the hand of man." Working conditions were dangerous and the pay was low, but in the midst of the great depression the workers were grateful to have a job. Surviving the Dust Bowl. In 1931 the rains stopped and the "black blizzards" began. Less well-known than those who sought refuge in California, typified by the Joad family in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," the Dust Bowlers stayed and overcame an almost a decade of unbelievable calamities and disasters, enduring drought, dust, disease, even death, determined to preserve their way of life. Seabiscuit. Despite his boxy build, stumpy legs, scraggly tail and ungainly gait, Seabiscuit was one of the most remarkable thoroughbred racehorses in history. His fabulously wealthy owner Charles Howard, his famously silent and stubborn trainer Tom Smith, and the two hard-bitten, gifted jockeys who rode him to glory turned Seabiscuit into a national hero. 5 videodiscs (ca. 5 hr.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 10-1808 v.1 10-1808 v.2

 

Cold War 2012

A sweeping look at nearly five decades of global history, a crystallization of a massive, three-year-long effort helmed by award-winning documentarian Jeremy Isaacs (The World at War). Isaacs's team shot more than 1,000 hours of original footage and gathered archival footage from all over the world to include historically important, and often emotionally stunning, images, many never before seen by an international audience. 6 videodiscs (1122 min.) :

MEDIA. MEDIA. MEDIA 10-3815 discs 1-2 10-3815 discs 3-4 10-3815 discs 5-6

The 1930s 2010

Liev Schreiber, PBS Distribution (Firm), WGBH Educational Foundation, Middlemarch Films, Firstlight Pictures, and Steward/Gazit Productions

In 1929, there were few critics of a stock market seeming to rise without limits. Presidents and economists alike confidently predicted that America would soon enter a "New Era" when everyone could be rich. Ultimately the promise of an economic boom disappeared almost overnight. In 1933 President Roosevelt sent legislation to Conngress aimed at providing relief for the 1 out of every 4 American workers who were unemployed. This included a proposal for the Civilian Conservation Corps, which over the next decade put  millions of young men to work, planting trees, building flood barriers, fighting fires, and maintaining roads and trails. The Hoover Dam reflected the engineering genius and design philosophy of the time.  the was called "the greatest engineering work of its character ever attempted by the hand of man." Working conditions were dangerous and the pay was low, but in the midst of the great depression the workers were grateful to have a job. Surviving the Dust Bowl. In 1931 the rains stopped and the "black blizzards" began. Less well-known than those who sought refuge in California, typified by the Joad family in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," the Dust Bowlers stayed and overcame an almost a decade of unbelievable calamities and disasters, enduring drought, dust, disease, even death, determined to preserve their way of life. Seabiscuit. Despite his boxy build, stumpy legs, scraggly tail and ungainly gait, Seabiscuit was one of the most remarkable thoroughbred racehorses in history. His fabulously wealthy owner Charles Howard, his famously silent and stubborn trainer Tom Smith, and the two hard-bitten, gifted jockeys who rode him to glory turned Seabiscuit into a national hero. 5 videodiscs (ca. 5 hr.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 10-1808 v.1 10-1808 v.2

 

20th century with Mike Wallace 1997

Mike Wallace

A guide to major events and trends that have shaped the last third of the twentieth century. 1 videocassette (50 min.)

DANA 1274

 

The '70s have a nice decade 1995

Bill Richmond and Gary Busey

Elton John, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, Frampton, David Bowie.  This era recaptures the artistic highs and debauched lows of rock's glamour years. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

DANA 444

 

The 90's Vol. 1 1990

Joel Cohen

Examines social issues of the 90's. "People, places and ideas from around the world... fast-paced, entertaining, irreverent, funny and thought-provoking reports from the creative edge of the video age"--Container
Opening montage -- Flying morning glory / Skip Blumberg -- Pat Boone and Harold Bredesen / Nancy Cain -- All your affections gone / Dion Payton -- Rock and roll controversy -- Albert -- Kim Long / Jimmy Sternfield -- The original TV -- Revolutionary video / Chuch Olin -- Lyndon Johnson and video from Everyone's channel / David Shulman -- Nixon registration -- Uncle Sam falls / Bill Stamets -- Ike for President -- Paid political message / Bill Tunnicliffe -- Advice ladies / Skip Blumberg -- On our own land / Appalshop -- Your tape here / Deedee Halleck -- Hare Krishna festival / Nancy Cain -- Red M&Ms / Bianca Miller -- Todd Alcott / Skip Blumberg -- Nana Asua Gyebi festival / Skip Blumberg -- Guns and women / Ricki Katz -- Wagon ho / Raunchy Bob Yup Yup -- Marlboro commercial -- Death in the West -- Love on $14 / Jim McCarthy and Steve Martini -- Laughing alligator / Juan Downey -- Prison PSA / Gary Glassman -- Crack fish / Byte By Byte -- Percy Mayfield / Michael Prussian and Starr Sutherland -- John Parker / Skip Blumberg -- Ain't gonna pee in the cup / Bianca Miller -- The real realness... / Scott Jacobs -- Richie Havens / Skip Blumberg -- Fontanos / Image Union -- Galaxy sweetheart / Daniel Thalmann -- Fish peace / Jim Jenkin -- Greater Yellowstone news / Phil Morton -- More than a game / Wild Onion Pictures -- Yuppie rap / Bill O'Neill -- Sid and Irv / Bart Lipton and Phil Patemite -- Erika Becker / Eddie Becker. 1 videocassette (ca. 60 min.)

MEDIA 2-1603

 

The age of anxiety  1997

Robert Hughes and Arnold B Glimcher

An eight part series presenting American history through its visual art, painting, sculpture, architecture and monuments. This final segment explores how American art has reflected the upheavals of the last 25 years. Hughes traces the evolution of abstract art and minimalism and considers the spiritual richness of earth works, in which nature is the artist's medium. He ends the series by profiling a wide range of contemporary artists including Edward Kienholz,  Donald Judd, Richard Serra, Walter De Maria, Robert Smithson, Bruce Nauman, Richard Diebenkorn, Philip Guston, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Susan Rothenberg, Eric Fischl, Louise Bourgeois and James Turrell. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-4085

 

Age of hope, 1900 1998

David Espar, Peter Pagnamenta, Zvi Dor-Ner , Jonathan Lewis, and John Forsythe

The dawn of the twentieth century was forged in hope and optimism. Here interviewees from Europe, Asia and the United States  recount the part they played in the century's early history. Whether fighting on the barricades of the failed Russian Revolution of 1905 or campaigning for votes for women; recalling the Paris Exposition of 1900, or President McKinley's assassination or witnessing the sinking of the Titanic, all remember the changes they lived through and the clash of forces and ideas before World War I. 1 videocassette (56 min)

 MEDIA 2-5620, 3839, 4086a

 

The Age of reason 1988

Bamber Gascoigne, Robin Lough, and Anthony Cash

This was the time of the Grand Musical Spectacle and the development of the oratorio.  Militantly engaged in rebuffing the Protestants, the Roman Church established oratories where the congregation would sing sacred music.  The result was the oratorio, the Church's answer to opera, which it closely resembles in form. 1 videocassette (53 min.)

MEDIA 2-1675

 

The Age of the shoguns (1600-1868) 1989

Jean Antoine and Robert Lanchester

A look at the history of Japan during the age of the Tokugawa family, the era of Edo, a period of over two-and-a-half centuries during which Japan was sealed off from the rest of the world. Topics include the established classes of daimyo, samurai, farmer and merchant, the political organization of the shogunate, the growth of the merchant class and the development of Kabuki, the delineation of Japanese sensibilities and the meaning of Seppuku. 1 videocassette (53 min.)

MEDIA 2-3237

 

America 1900 1998

David Grubin, Judy Crichton, and David G McCullough

Using archival film and photographs, interviews with historians, writers and descendants, this film looks back at the year 1900. Features President McKinley's reelection; the guerilla war in the Philippines; John Muir's nature movement,inventions such as motion pictures, x-rays, automobiles, phonographs, the electric light, and indoor plumbing, the Gibson Girl, photojournalist Frances Benjamin Johnston, public morality and Olga Nethersole's play Sapho, huge waves of immigration; deadly coal mine explosion in Scofield, Utah; racism and Jim Crow in the South; U.S. Rep. George White of North Carolina attempts to outlaw lynching; opposing black leaders Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois; Scott Joplin and the birth of the music industry; China's Boxer Rebellion and the fate of missionaries like Eva, Charles & Florence Price; deadly hurricane hits Galveston, Texas; John Mitchell's attempts to unite coal workers and the United Mine Workers strike. 2 videocassettes (170 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-4288 cassette 1 2-4289 cassette 2

 

American photography a century of images 1999

Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer, Ronald Blumer, Harris Yulin, Robert B Silberman, and Vicki Goldberg

Presents the whole range of photography in the United States in the 20th century. The range of topics include artistic photography, photojournalism and home photography. The series mentions the technological change and the impact that photographs have whether they are personal or newsworthy. 3 videocassettes (ca. 161 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA. MEDIA 2-4314 cassette 1 2-4315 cassette 2 2-4316 cassette 3

 

Berkeley in the '60's 1990

Mark Kitchell and Susan Griffin

Presents a history of Berkeley, California during the 1960's through interviews with students, activists, and use or archival news footage. 1 videocassette (ca. 118 min.)

DANA. DANA MEDIA. MEDIA 455 455, 2-615 2-994

 

Breadline, 1929 1998

David Espar, Peter Pagnamenta, Zvi Dor-Ner , Archie Baron, and John Forsythe

The 1920s found Americans enjoying the fruits of a new prosperity in a post-war boom. Then, in 1929, the New York Stock Exchange crashed; banks failed and industry withered. From Europe and the United States to Latin America and Asia, the Great Depression shattered economies and communities worldwide. In this film the people who were there remember the blow as workers from the United States, Chile, Britain, Belgium and Scandinavia recall the hungry 1930s. 1 videocassette (56 min)

MEDIA. MEDIA   MEDIA 2-3845    2-5623    2-4089a

 

Breaking boundaries, testing limits 1991

David Hoffman, Kirk Wolfinger, and Carol Rissman

The youth rebellion--one of the quirkiest, most penetrating and unsettling movements in American history--is the focus of this episode which traces the evolution of the counterculture from the innocent days of Beetle moptops to Haight-Ashbury and its spread into the mainstream consciousness. Along the way the program takes a closer look at the values, the triumphs and the self-destructive tragedies of young people who went too far. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-1237

 

The century: Approaching the apocalypse America's time c1999

Peter Jennings, Roger Goodman, Richard Gerdau, Michael Plante, ABC News, History Channel (Television network), and Films for the Humanities (Firm)

This program appraises the effects of the blights on the political landscape and their impact on the trust between the government and the governed, so vital to the well-being of a representative democracy such as the United States. 1 videocassette (45 min.)

MEDIA 2-7030

 

The century: Boom to bust America's time c1999

Peter Jennings, Roger Goodman, Richard Gerdau, Michael Plante, ABC News, History Channel (Television network), and Films for the Humanities (Firm)

This program investigates the culture of the roaring twenties--women's suffrage, prohibition, the exploration of the Antarctic, the Scopes trial, the establishment of the Ku Klux Klan, the new music called "Jazz", technological innovations and finally the stock market crash and the subsequent economic depression. 1 videocassette (45 min.)

MEDIA 2-7021

 

The century: Then and now America's time c1999

Peter Jennings, Roger Goodman, Diana Frank , ABC News, History Channel (Television network), and Films for the Humanities (Firm)

This program examines key moments of the '90's -- Persian Gulf War, Oklahoma Bombing, Waco,  -- and looks ahead to some of the possible events and innovations just over the horizon. 1 videocassette (45 min.)

MEDIA 2-7033

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 1, The fear and the dream [videorecording] /  1997

David Halberstam, Tracy Dahlby, Alex Gibney, Nancy Button, and Barbara Sears

In the postwar U.S., new affluence mingled with the fear of the new menace of communism. Discusses the nuclear arms race, anti-Communist hysteria and McCarthyism, and events leading to the Korean War. 1 videocassette (90 min)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3632    2-6175

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 2, Selling the American way [videorecording] /This episode of The Fifties shows how the invention of television and the perfection of the art of advertising were used in both commerce and politics. 1997

David Halberstam, Tracy Dahlby, Alex Gibney, Nancy Button, and Barbara Sears

his episode of The Fifties shows how the invention of television and the perfection of the art of advertising were used in both commerce and politics. 1 videocassette (90 min)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3632    2-6175

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 3, Let's play house [videorecording] / 1997

David Halberstam, Tracy Dahlby, Alex Gibney, Nancy Button, and Edward Herrmann

Describes the unrest sometimes felt in the outwardly tranquil fifties, including dissatisfaction with women's roles as housewives and men's roles in the corporate rat race. 1 videocassette (ca. 100 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3632 2-6175

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 4, A burning desire [videorecording]  1997

David Halberstam, Nancy Button, Alex Gibney, and Edward Herrmann

During this time of social claustrophobia and sexual taboos, a handful of individuals brought a world of suppressed desires into the open. The publication of the famed "Kinsey Report" in particular exposed widespread hypocrisy about sex. 1 videocassette (ca. 50 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3630  2-6173

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 5, The beat [videorecording]  1997

David Halberstam, Nancy Button, Alex Gibney, and Edward Herrmann

On the road and in jazz clubs, renegades like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac challenged America's materialism and conformity.  And a young man from Memphis named Elvis mesmerized restless teenagers and forever changed the face of popular music and culture with his revolutionary, hip-shaking rock 'n' roll.  See how the Beat's search for a less materialistic, more spiritual America and the rise of  rock 'n' roll helped forge the youth culture that would explode in the sixties. 1 videocassette (ca. 50 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3631 2-6174

 

David Halberstam's the fifties. Volume 6, The rage within. The road to the sixtiesh[videorecording] 1997

David Halberstam, Tracy Dahlby, Alex Gibney, Nancy Button, and Edward Herrmann

The rage within: America in the fifties is finally forced to examine issues of racial discrimination. The road to the sixties: Shows American involvement with fast cars, fast food, the space race, the rise of Fidel Castro in Cuba and a rising restlessness as the country moves toward the next decade. 1 videocassette (ca. 100 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-3632 2-6175

 

The Depression years, 1930-1940 1990, 1989

William Miles, Clayton Riley, and Adolph Caesar

Covers Harlem's ethnic heritage, the music and show business tradition, Father Divine and Joe Louis. 1 videocassette (58 min.)

MEDIA 2-1375

 

The Early years, 1600-1930 1991, 1990

William Miles, Clayton Riley, and Adolph Caesar

Covers Harlem's growth from fishing village to Dutch farming community, wealthy New York suburb, and finally to burgeoning black neighborhood. Also covers the career of Marcus Garvey and the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. 1 videocassette (58 min.)

MEDIA 2-1374

 

Echoes of Jacobean England the sweet life 1991

Peter McGowan, Tessa Bonner, and Thomas Campion

"This program focuses on the Jacobean period--roughly from Shakespeare's Macbeth to Dryden's translation of Plutarch, with a civil war, a regicide, and Paradise Lost in between--the golden age of English music and poetry, the age of the mature Shakespeare, of Donne and John Dowland.  From the melancholy of Thomas Campion's songs to the cheerful vigor of Italian dances, the program feature authentically performed music."--Container. 1 videocassette (39 min.)

MUSIC 301

 

The emerging woman 1974

Helena Solberg, Leslie Cass, Women's Film Project, and Film Images, inc

Uses original photographs, historical footage, and drawings in order to trace woman's role in American society from the 18th century to the present day. 1 videocassette (40 min.)

MEDIA D-161

 

The empire of signs 1997

Robert Hughes, Clement Greenberg, Karal Ann Marling, Henry Louis Gates, and Kirk Varnedoe

An eight part series presenting American history through its visual art, painting, sculpture, architecture and monuments. In this seventh segment, after the post-war era, Hughes traces the development of abstract expressionism and the life of Jackson Pollock, and explores how artists as different as James Rosenquist, Claes Oldenburg, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, David Smith, Willem De Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Romare Bearden, Joseph Cornell, Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns reacted to the new consumer culture. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-4084

 

The filth and the fury c2000

Julien Temple, Anita Camarata, Amanda Temple, Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock, Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious, Film Four International, Sex Pistols (Musical group), Jersey Shore (Firm), Nitrate Film (Firm), and New Line Home Video (Firm)

The musical group Sex Pistols was in existence for only 26 months and recorded only one album, yet they changed the face of music forever. This shocking portrait of arguably the most influential and certainly the most notorious rock group of all time documents their rise from the back streets of London, through their crucifixion by the British tabloids and ultimate implosion on tour in America. Culled primarily from the band's own 20-hour-plus archive it includes candid interviews, performances, rehearsals and recording sessions. 1 videodisc (103 min.)

DANA 66

 

Fried shoes, cooked diamonds 1999?

Costanzo Allione, Allen Ginsberg, Fernanda Pivano, Carmina Cinematografica (Firm), Mystic Fire Video, Inc, and Fox Lorber Associates

Series of interviews conducted at a reunion of American Beat poets in Boulder, Colorado. 1 videocassette (55 min.)

(set)  DANA 1920

 

The gilded age 1997, 1996

Robert Hughes

In eight programs, art critic Robert Hughes covers a range of events, movements and personalities from three centuries of American painting, sculpture, and architecture. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-4081

 

Golden twenties 198-?

Frederick Lewis Allen, Robert Q Lewis, Allen Prescott, Red Barker, Elmer Davis, and Richard De Rochemont

Recalls the historic events, fashions, and personalities in the news during the 1920's. 2 videocassettes (ca. 67 min.)

MEDIA. MEDIA 2-2006 cassette 1 2-2007 cassette 2

 

The Great Depression and foreign affairs 1978

Eric Sevareid, Anthony Ross Potter, Charles Musser, and Herb Schmertz

Presents America during the Depression and how the economic collapse changed America's outlook on the world. 1 videocassette (26 min.)

MEDIA 2-4130

 

The great depression & the new deal c1996

Henry Nevison, Dana Palermo, Sara L Robins , Jonathan Zimmerman, Hollis Payer, InVision Communications, and Schlessinger Video Productions

Causes of the Great Depression; the stock market crash; hard times across America; the New Deal; the Dust Bowl; a culture of sight and sound; the New Deal under fire; the Second New Deal; the Wagner Labor Act and the growth of unions; the birth of the modern welfare state. 1 videocassette (ca. 35 min.)

MEDIA 2-6612

 

The Hero as artist ; Protest and communication 198-?

Michael Gill, Kenneth Clark, and Peter Montagnon

The Hero as artist surveys the development of western civilization in Italy beginning in 1500 as evidenced in the demise of city states like Florence and the rise of Rome as a world power with Pope Julius at its head. Examines especially the work of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bramante. Protest and communication surveys the development of western civilization in the 16th century in the  North as evidenced in the use of the printing press and in the reformation, Protestantism, and especially in the work of Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, D"rer, Holbien, Luther, Cranach and Shakespeare. 1 videocassette (104 min.)

DANA. MEDIA 879   2-2151

 

History in motion milestones of the 20th century 1992

Two dozen "mini-documentaries" of the 20th century. 1 laser videodisc

MEDIA 7-41

 

I remember Harlem 1991

William Miles, Clayton Riley, and Adolph Caesar

"This special one-hour condensed version of the 'I remember Harlem' series covers the progression of Harlem from fishing village to wealthy New York suburb, to international synonym for Black America, to Harlem's future. It spotlights some of Harlem's most famous residents, including Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Paul Robeson, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Marcus Garvey, and Malcolm X"--Container. 1 videocassette (55 min.)

MEDIA 2-2977

 

Legacies of the Sixties 1991

David Hoffman, Kimberly Green, and Carol Rissman

This final program looks at the effect of the Sixties on many of the people seen in previous episodes.  Viewers hear their stories and find out how their lives have been changed--for better or worse--by the Sixties experience.  Also explores the strong changes that have taken place in people's lives and how American society today has been affected on all levels--politically, socially, and culturally--by the Sixties. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-1240

 

Life in the thirties c1959

Donald B Hyatt, Richard Hanser, Henry Salomon, Alexander Scourby, National Broadcasting Company, inc, and McGraw-Hill Films

A documentary film portraying life in America during the 1930's. Includes scenes showing social and economic trends, and the events and personalities that attracted the attention of the average man. 1 videocassette (54 min.)

MEDIA D-411

 

Murder of the century 1995

David G McCullough, David Ogden Stiers, and Carl Charlson

Outlines the shooting death of architect Stanford White by Harry Thaw over Thaw's wife, Evelyn Nesbitt, a beautiful model and showgirl. Also examines the opulent world of New York society in the early 1900s. 1 videocassette (58 min.)

MEDIA 2-4064

 

Post-war U.S.A c1996

Henry Nevison, Dana Palermo, Catherine Samson, Charles Hardy, Art Levy, Hollis Payer, InVision Communications, and Schlessinger Video Productions

Examines post-war prosperity and the rise of the consumer society; the G.I. Bill; Truman and the Fair Deal; suburbanization and the "crabgrass frontier"; the Baby Boom; the birth of television and the influence of advertising; roles of women and the Feminine Mystique; the Cold War; the Korean War; the arms race; the Red Scare and McCarthyism; the early civil rights movement; teen rebellion and rock & roll. 1 videocassette (ca. 35 min.)

MEDIA 2-6614

 

The Promised land 1997

An eight part series presenting American history through its visual art, painting, sculpture, architecture and monuments. In this second segment early settlers in the "Promised land" strive to carve out an identity in a virgin land while in the West, Spanish missions use art to convert the natives. In the East, plain Protestant settlers are suspicious of art's pleasures while in Virginia, an exiled aristocracy, strives to recreate its ideal of England. 1 videocassette (60 min.)

MEDIA 2-4079

 

The roaring twenties c1996

Henry Nevison, Dana Palermo, Charles Hardy , Hollis Payer, InVision Communications, and Schlessinger Video Productions

Return to normalcy; automobile culture; flappers and the revolution in manners and morals; the consumer revolution and rise of advertising; motion pictures; the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age; social polarization; Prohibition; rebirth of the KKK; the Scopes Trial; the golden age of sports. 1 videocassette (ca. 35 min.)

MEDIA 2-6611

 

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